SNOW LEOPARD IN HIMACHAL–2025
Face2News/Shimla
The 74th Wildlife Week began in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday with a formal inauguration by PCCF Wildlife Amitabh Gautam. The theme of the week is Human–Animal Co-existence. While inaugurating, he interacted through video conference with officers of all wildlife divisions of the state and discussed in detail the activities to be organized from October 2 to 8. On this occasion, a pledge was taken for the conservation of wildlife in the state.
Amitabh Gautam said that many wild species are on the verge of extinction today, and the Forest Department along with the Wildlife Wing is taking important steps to protect them. He emphasized that along with the department, the public also needs to actively participate in wildlife conservation.
He shared that the Himachal Pradesh Wildlife Wing, in collaboration with the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), Bengaluru, has conducted a study on the Status of Snow Leopard in Himachal. This study covered an area of 26,112 sq km and has provided estimates of snow leopard numbers in the state. According to the report, Himachal Pradesh currently has around 83 snow leopards—an increase compared to the 2021 report.
The study also documented, for the first time in Himachal, the presence of two new wild species: the woolly flying squirrel and the Pallas’s cat. Gautam called upon local communities to join hands with the department in this mission. He urged officials and people connected through video conference to spread the message of wildlife conservation widely during Wildlife Week.
Program Manager of Nature Conservation Foundation, Bengaluru, Deepshikha, gave a detailed presentation on the conservation status of snow leopards in Himachal.
The event was also attended by CF Wildlife Preeti Bhandari, DFO Wildlife Shimla Dr. Shah Nawaz Bhatt, DFO Headquarters Anita Bhardwaj, JICA Forestry Project Director Shrestha Nand Sharma, ACF Wildlife Vinod Ranta, along with officials and staff of the JICA Forestry Project.
It is notable that every year, Wildlife Week in India is celebrated from October 2 (on Gandhi Jayanti) to October 8.
Release of Status of Snow Leopard in Himachal–2025
PCCF Wildlife Amitabh Gautam released the booklet Status of Snow Leopard in Himachal Pradesh–2025. He said that snow leopards in Himachal are under threat and the Wildlife Wing is playing a key role in their conservation. He further added that recently, Himachal Pradesh’s cold desert region Spiti has been included in UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Network, which is a matter of pride for the state.
Important activities till October 8
During Wildlife Week, from October 2 to 8, several events will be organized, including painting competitions, essay writing, debates, photography contests, speech competitions, short nature treks, and bird-watching activities. PCCF Wildlife Amitabh Gautam instructed officers to celebrate Wildlife Week in collaboration with educational institutions, women’s groups, Panchayati Raj bodies, and all government departments.